Teacher Network
Our teachers come from all corners of the world and we are proud to share a select group of passionate, inspirational, Yoga Alliance certified graduates of our Island Yoga and Yoga Girl 200-hr Teacher Training Program. Our graduates are dedicated to ongoing study of teaching, assisting, meditation, service and self love.
We aim to help our students and teachers with every opportunity to help them become successful, deeply fullfilled, and compassionate yoga teachers.
Abigael Peckham
Certified Yoga Teacher
Abigael, or Abby, is a curious and contemplative yogi with a passion for sharing the gifts yoga has brought to her own life with others. Born and raised in the small state of Rhode Island, in an even smaller town, Abby was originally drawn to yoga through Instagram. When she signed up for her first class at the local gym, she was only looking to learn how to move her body into different poses. Instead, she found a deep personal practice that ultimately helped to transform her life, her relationships with herself and her loved ones, and her world view. As a teacher, she hopes to inspire others to start down their own paths to self-discovery, aided by vulnerability, honesty, and shameless self-love. Find Abby and her writing and teaching on Instagram at @abbys.yoga, or on her website www.abbysyoga.com.
Addie Deacon
Certified Yoga Teacher
Addie is an artist, yoga teacher & meditation teacher, mother, student and friend (not necessarily in that order!) living in Binghamton, New York. She offers classes that incorporate mindfulness meditation with slow-flow vinyasa movement. Addie has a strong desire to help folks deepen and strengthen their mind/body connection to feel more whole and well through meditation and movement. Folks from all walks of life, in all stages of practice, with any body type who have a desire to learn what the ancient wisdoms of yoga and Buddhist philosophy have to offer are warmly invited to come and practice with her! Addie can be contacted at addiedeacon@gmail.com, found on [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/eclecticartbyaddie/), or via her [Facebook page](https://www.facebook.com/eclecticartbyaddie/).
Alejandra Giraldo
Certified Yoga Teacher
Alejandra is a Colombian yogi that decided to deny traditional job offers to make a living from her biggest passion: YOGA. You can follow her journey at her Instagram account @inside__you. Inspire yourself with her lifestyle blog www.theanswerisinsideyou.com and find her teaching private yoga sessions in different studios in Bogota, CO.
Alexandra Baker
Certified Yoga Teacher
Raised in Memphis, TN Alexandra is a paralegal and yoga teacher with a passion for music. Both on and off the mat she is interested in medicine and healing in all its forms. She believes a yoga practice can be an incredibly powerful part of maintaining health- both emotional and physical. She leads private, relaxed vinyasa flow classes in her home studio and encourages students to reconnect with themselves through breath and movement, facilitating a safe space for self-exploration and healing. Alexandra currently resides in San Diego, CA.
Amber Corriveau
Certified Yoga Teacher
Amber is an outgoing, positive, mom, wife, hairstylist and yoga teacher residing in Western, MA. She teaches at Westfield Yoga Center in Westfield, MA and also offers private sessions on location and in Northampton, MA where she hosts workshops, too. Amber was first drawn to yoga in 2013 when she saw fun inversions and arm balances on instagram. Her practice started as a home-based operation as she used the likes of the internet to help her learn and grow. A few years into being self-led she joined a workshop where she learned yoga was much more than asana. She walked away from that workshop with her heart bursting open and the feeling that Yoga would help her heal from her daunting past. It was then she knew she wanted to bring that gift forward for others as well- as a yoga teacher. Yoga has saved Amber. It has been the center of healing in the mind, body and spirit for her. Amber wishes to create a space in which others feel held and safe to explore themselves to a depth they have yet uncovered. A depth in which must be discovered for true healing and enlightenment. Amber knows the journey is a long one in which practice will always encourage and bear fruit. She wants to build community of likemindedness rooted in truth and love. She believes her work is to facilitate healing through the art of yoga and off its eight limbs. She hopes to assist in guidance on your journey.
Anndroniki Raciti
Certified Yoga Teacher
Anndroniki a.k.a Niki is a proudly South African engineer, yoga practitioner, 200hr RYT Island Yoga, studio owner, cafe owner, and founder of Vibe Tribe Yoga SA. She teaches vinyasa flow full-time from her Johannesburg-based studio called Soul Space , runs her cafe, and hosts pop-up yoga events with her brand, Vibe Tribe Yoga. Her style of teaching is grounded in self-love and compassion. She is a vibrant and spirited woman, so it’s no wonder her classes are just as energetic and fun. She believes that healing is possible through yoga, movement, community, and music. She is living proof! Niki found yoga 6 years ago while studying to be an engineer. The highly stressful nature of the degree combined with a low self-esteem caused her to venture down a dark and lonely path. Yoga found her at her lowest, and allowed her to pick up the pieces of the life she was slowly destroying. Yoga saved her life and taught her compassion for others and, above all, compassion for herself. Niki’s goal is to help others heal , find love and light, and free their spirit through the magic that is Yoga. To find out more visit www.soulspaceza.com or www.vibetribeyogasa.com
Avril Williams
Certified Yoga Teacher
Avril is a jill-of-all trades as she is not only a yogi, but also a freelance writer, studio artist, art educator, business owner, philanthropist, designer, and avid international traveler. In fact, it was on her first solo traveling adventure that she found yoga, completely changing her life path. Since graduating from Island Yoga she has started her own business entitled A Dandy Line Studios, based out of Portland, Maine, with hopes of combining and sharing all of her passions. She brings the creativity that fills her life work to her classes and incorporates it into sequencing, music, and theme. She has also continued to increase her skillset as an addiction recovery ally. Avril is currently working to open a second business with her partner, a food truck, that combines her experience in the food service industry with community service, lovingly named Basket & Blanket. To hear more about this unique new endeavor and its community impact, follow their Instagram, @basket_and_blanket. In her spare time Avril loves to make artwork, write poetry, do pottery, hike, go on adventures and explore as much of the world as possible. Her goal is to share her belief that our life is art and we have the power to create all that we dream of. To connect with Avril personally or find out where she is teaching, follow her @adandyline or via her web site www.adandyline.com.
Blazenka Pocrnja
Certified Yoga Teacher
Blazenka was born in Croatia but has spent most of her life living and working in Alberta, Canada. She works as a Registered Nurse by day and teaches yoga as her “fun job”. Being a person who loves learning and trying many different things, she was drawn to the evolutionary practice of yoga as it both taught and challenged her on many aspects of self discovery. In addition to being a continual student of yoga, she is inspired by the community of yoga practitioners, who teach her more every time their mat is beside hers. She loves to teach classes that share her love of a great musical playlist and fun sequencing followed by a relaxing and intimate savasana. She believes yoga has benefits for everyone at any stage of their life and is always willing to share what she has learnt with others. You can find Blazenka on Instagram at @evolvingyogini or e-mail her at blazenkayoga@gmail.com.
Caressa Hesselmann
Certified Yoga Teacher
With an open heart, this Amsterdam based yogi loves to spread her passions and create connection. Teaching different styles of yoga including vinyasa, aerial yoga and yoga nidra. Caressa also makes art using crystals and loves to paint as a way of meditation. Follow her along her path on instagram @itsCaressa or check out her website www.withcaressa.nl.
Carolyn Brown
Certified Yoga Teacher
Carolyn Brown is a full-time yoga teacher specializing in Vinyasa Flow and Power Vinyasa style classes. Her classes focus on correct anatomical alignment and functional movement through creative sequencing with breath work and meditation. Carolyn has travelled around the world for two years teaching and learning from various well-known yoga teachers and schools of yoga. Now back home in Switzerland, Carolyn teaches in the French region from Geneva to Lausanne. Carolyn provides private yoga classes in the home, corporate yoga in the office, yoga for athletes, and group classes in different studios around Vaud. Carolyn started her yoga teaching journey in 2017 after having spent a year beating cancer. Yoga was a big part of her cancer journey helping her in many ways, both on and off the mat. It was a tool that helped her keep movement in her life along with a calm and strong mind. Today, her mission is to help others discover this amazing tool and to show the many different ways it can benefit everyday life. To learn more about Carolyn's classes, workshops and retreats, and receive daily updates to living a healthy balanced life, head over to her [website](https://www.passport2balance.com). You can also follow her on [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/passport_to_balance/), join her on [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/passport2balance/), or contact her by email at carolynbrown.info@gmail.com.
Catherine Gallagher
Certified Yoga Teacher
Catherine is a full-time yogi who specializes in teaching Hatha yoga, hot yoga, restorative yoga, vinyasa flow, and yin yoga. Her classes focus on compassion, acceptance and self-love combining both dynamic asanas with deep relaxation. The perfect yin & yang! Catherine initially came to yoga through surfing having grown up in Devon, UK. However, it didn’t become her ‘thing’ until finding her sanctuary at her local studio in Sussex. Attending Hot Yoga classes at the end of her busy London corporate commuter work days brought her to life and got her through the week! She is currently working for Surf Maroc in Tagazhout, Morocco leading the company’s surf & yoga retreats, daily drop-in classes and private 1-1 sessions. Here she is gaining exposure to a full variety of clients including pro-surfers, athletes and those looking to deeply relax on holiday. Catherine also runs her own retreats worldwide across UK, Italy, Ibiza, Morocco and Sri Lanka. Come and join her on retreat to surround yourself with and like-minded souls next to the ocean. Find Catherine on Instagram at @yoga.with.catherine or her website www.yogawithcatherine.com.
Cath Philippe
Certified Yoga Teacher
Cath is from Brittany, a town in the west of France. She is a swimmer, runner, golfer and forever a gymnast. Cath loves movement and travels around the world to discover new cultures and surf new waves. Cath first came to Yoga through Pilates and her interest in functional anatomy and the physical aspects of the Yoga practice. Now based in Paris, France, Cath is a Certified Yoga Teacher. She received her 200-hour YTT with Island Yoga in June of 2018. She believes that the human body is a complex and beautiful system and the connection of body and mind is a powerful transformation tool. Cath teaches both in French and English. Her classes aim at taking care of your body and sharing good vibes in a peaceful and loving way. You can find Cath on Instagram at @Cath2909. To contact her through email, her address is Cath.Philippe@wanadoo.fr.
Chantal Laberge
Certified Yoga Teacher
Born and raised in Canada’s capital, Chantal has a passion for bringing her love of yoga to her local community. She is enthusiastic about introducing people to yoga, maintaining flexibility as we age, holistic health and wellness and teaching self-love through this sacred practice. While the physical practice of asana is what initially attracted her to yoga, it is the spiritual journey that has led Chantal to stay. After maintaining a strong personal practice for over 17 years, Chantal became a graduate of the 200-hr Hatha Yoga Teacher Training program at Island Yoga Aruba in 2017. Chantal chose this program for its unique focus on connection with our true self and teaching from an authentic place of love and compassion. Chantal brings a warm, loving and inclusive energy to all her students. Whether you’re walking into a Flow, Yin, or Restorative class, you will be greeted wholeheartedly. She blends creative sequencing, meditation, and breath work to create a sense of inner peace that can be taken off the mat following practice. Her approach inspires an inner journey, as we learn to move, breathe, and be in harmony–mind, body, and spirit and she hopes to help her students move towards greater balance, health and happiness.
Charity Donnelly
Certified Yoga Teacher
Charity is a Colorado Native who moved to Seattle in 2010 and loves calling the Pacific Northwest her home. She finds balance in her Real Estate career by expressing her creativity through woodwork and sewing. If she’s not in her craft room you can find her spending time outdoors, backpacking and connecting with nature alongside her husband. She is currently enjoying her first pregnancy with twin girls and feels honored and humbled to know these spirits trust her to guide and nurture them through life. She enjoys teaching in the comfort of her home or outdoors to those looking for an intimate, restorative and personalized yoga experience. Charity puts a high value on fitness as she has always known how intimately connected her physical, mental and spiritual health are. Although her active lifestyle helped keep her depression at bay, it was not until a friend invited her to a yoga class and she developed a personal practice that she began to heal and release the stories she no longer needed to carry. Charity believes all answers lie within and strives to help others find and honor their truth through listening to the body in their practice.
Chivonne Cheney
Certified Yoga Teacher
Chivonne is a granddaughter, daughter, wife, and mother/stepmother all under the same roof. Balancing the lives of four generations and a blended family is what originally sent her down the yellow brick road of yoga and meditation looking for the great and powerful OM. What she has discovered thus far is that the harder we try to control our lives, the more the Universe shows us this is not the path to happiness. Yoga is teaching Chivonne to practice courage and let go… even when it’s only one fingernail at a time! Chivonne received her 200hr YTT certification from Island Yoga in 2017 and is working towards a 350hr Vedic Counselor certification with Sivananda Yoga Farm. Practicing with Chivonne might be anything from a killer core workout blasting Macklemore or a nourishing meditation with Tibetan singing bowls. She will always hold sacred space for you and do her best to create a session that resonates with whatever you need. In her past life, Chivonne worked in Global Apparel Development at Nike World Headquarters. For nearly a dozen years she ran shoulder-to-shoulder with all levels of the organization shepherding special projects across the globe. It’s safe to say her communication and project management skills come in handy when juggling both the magic making and daily duties of life. She is an obsessive researcher and extremely detail oriented which makes her an exceptionally talented vacation and party planner. She is currently planning international health and wellness retreats with Radiate Love. For more information on working with Chivonne please contact her at chivonne@radiate.love.
Courtney Betts
Certified Yoga Teacher
Courtney Betts is a passionate yogi and artist. Originally from Toronto, Canada, Courtney holds a Master of Science degree in health science and has a background in dance. She has been practicing yoga regularly since 2012, and became a certified yoga teacher in 2017. Courtney now resides in Aruba, where she works for the Yoga Girl team and teaches vinyasa flows and SUP yoga at Island Yoga. Her classes are a fun mixture of challenging movement and music suitable for all levels. On the side, Courtney loves to draw, paints murals, take care of puppies, and spend time on the beach. Yoga has been a crucial part of Courtney’s life for years. Her mat is the one place she can let go of her thoughts, connect to her body and move on a daily basis.
Dana Landman
Certified Yoga Teacher
Dana Landman is a London based yoga teacher. A lover of music synchronization, Dana’s classes emphasize the intersection of music and movement, using curated playlists to fuel the body and warm the heart. You can find Dana on Instagram at @danalandman
Danielle Dillard
Certified Yoga Teacher
Danielle Dillard is a digital nomad living her dreams of traveling with coaching, yoga and writing. She guides women into the inner depths of their souls to heal from the inside out, align fully with their soul mission, create powerful visions for their lives, and master the mindset and tools to manifest their dreams. She does this through online soul and alignment coaching, yoga and reiki workshops, writing, and Akashic Record Readings. Danielle’s favorite way to practice yoga includes blending meditation, journaling, & yoga in the candlelight on her mat, perhaps with some Spotify “Brain Food” playlist on in the background. For Danielle, yoga is all about self-love and going deeper within herself to expand in all areas of life. She loves to ask herself weekly, “What would I do if I wasn’t afraid?,” and then move in the direction of her fear. Danielle is passionate about connecting with others on the spiritual path, so feel free to reach out via Instagram (@DaniDillard) or join her FB community, Raw Downloads. Other social links include Danielle Dillard Yoga & Coaching (FB) and her personal website, www.danielledillard.com.
Demi Diviak
Certified Yoga Teacher
Demi Diviak is a Southern California native whose adventurous spirit has driven her to study and work all over the world. While completing her Psychology degree, she studied and interned abroad in London, India, and Barbados. Each experience has changed her perspective of life and enhanced a deeper understanding of humanity through connecting with many unique cultures and individuals. Demi fell in love with yoga while in college where it quickly became a core part of her spiritual journey. Her yoga classes center around the heart as she guides her students through movement and meditations to help release stored emotions and tension in the body. She creates a safe and warm space for her students to feel and find their own inner strength. If Demi is not practicing yoga, you can probably find her socializing with friends, dancing in her living room with loud music, going on spontaneous road trips, drawing, traveling, organizing, reading motivational books, or taking a walk along the coast. To connect or find more about what Demi is up too, find her on Instagram @demiyoga
Emma Lynn Chapman
Certified Yoga Teacher
Raised in a small town in Southern Canada, Emma sees herself as a determined writer, a curious explorer of the Kootenays, and a passionate yoga teacher, teaching flowy, juicy, wiggly classes that can be challenging as well as healing and relaxing. She prides herself in her ability to open up and connect to those she fiercely loves. When she's not running around at her cafe job or working on her business, you can find Emma repotting her plants, making sourdough bread, reading fantasy novels, wiggling her toes into the Earth, or communicating feminist issues and her inner world on Instagram. She is enthusiastic about sharing her practice with other people and hopes to grow her business far and wide to facilitate healthy self-growth. Find Emma on Instagram at @emmalynnsunflower.
Ewa Hagert
Certified Yoga Teacher
Ewa is a passionate Swedish yogi, residing in Malmö in the south of the Sweden. Ewa has practiced yoga for the last 6 years. She has had a long business career and too much work and too little physical exercise, led to constant back pains and high chiropractor bills. She looked for healing and means to a pain-free life and this where she in 2013 found yoga, to balance the yin and the yang with focus on a healthy sustainable body and lifestyle. Yoga was a life changer for her and a regular yoga practice became part of the daily routine. While the physical practice of asanas is what initially attracted her to yoga, it is the spiritual and emotional journey that has led Ewa to stay. After maintaining a strong personal practice for 3 years, Ewa took her first yoga teacher training in 2016, a 100-hr Yin Yoga program at Oasis Yoga at Koh Lanta, Thailand. This training in yin yoga opened up a deeper interest in anatomy and to fully immerse into a broader and deeper teacher training, to be able to share her passion for the sacred practice. In July 2018 she became a graduate of the 200-hr Yoga Teacher Training program led by Rachel and Lara. Ewa chose this program for its unique focus on anatomy while teaching from an authentic place of love and compassion, balancingand connecting to our true selves. Ewa is enthusiastic about introducing people to yoga, maintaining range of motion and strength as we age. Her approach inspires an inner journey, bringing harmony to mind, body and spirit. Ewa brings a warm, loving and inclusive energy to all her students. Whether you walk into a Vinyasa, Yin or Restorative class, you will be greeted wholeheartedly. Ewa hopes to have the opportunity to see you on the mat and help you move towards greater balance, self-love, health and happiness. Ewa is registered with Yoga Alliance and you canreach out to her on Facebook or Instagram @ewahagertto connect and see where she is currently teaching. E-mail to ewahagert@live.sefor private classes in Swedish or English.
"Flame" Shany Berkovich
Certified Yoga Teacher
Flame is a creative manager at Microsoft and a real fan of fitness and sports of every kind kind- specially HIIT and running (and of course YOGA). She is 33 years old, and has a Masters in business and a Bachelor in communication and political science. Flame is currently teaching private yoga lessons.To her, yoga is all about movement: moving her body, moving her breath, moving her thoughts, moving her energy… yoga is the wings that take her anywhere and help her reach everything and everyone.
Gillian Edwards
Certified Yoga Teacher
Gillian grew up in North Vancouver, BC, Canada, as a shy, self-conscious, and rule-abiding child. She has since blossomed into a wandering soul and occasional rule-bender, working as a registered nurse with a passion for travel and movement as therapy. Having felt uncomfortable in her own skin and seen the effects of poor self-care and trauma on health care workers and patients alike, Gillian discovered yoga whilst in nursing school. After seeing the benefits of yoga firsthand and being told "you have a yoga voice", Gillian decided to pursue teaching yoga to provide people with the chance to move, connect, prevent, and heal. With a love of classes that nourish the heart and challenge the body, Gillian combines specially made playlists with a flow that aims to connect the practitioner to themselves and others. Gillian continues to seek further learning to provide students with safe, effective, and innovative yoga classes that keep participants moving functionally long into the future. You can find where Gillian is currently teaching and travelling via Instagram @trnscontinental.
Hannah Morrow
Certified Yoga Teacher
Hannah is a yogi, artist, and traveler who bases her teachings, art, and way of life in spirituality. While battling depression five years ago, she discovered the immeasurable peace and joy that is found within oneself through practicing yoga and dedicated her life to embodying this truth and teaching others how to do the same. Hannah believes in allowing the body to flow in whatever way it needs or desires to, and that the practice of yoga should be an expression of freedom and self love. She embodies the concept of freedom and living in alignment with her true self by traveling as much as possible, attending music festivals, creating unique, passionate art, and meeting new souls from all over the world. Hannah’s love and zest for life permeates all she does, whether that is creating an energetic yoga flow to ignite sacred space within the body or enjoying vibrant music during a sunset dance session in her backyard. She desires and manifests meaningful, sacred, and authentic experiences in her life and she loves to recognize the eternal, divine life source within everyone and everything, finding unity and harmony in her life each day. Hannah is currently residing in Ohio and teaching private yoga classes with clients, yet she plans on relocating this fall to the North Shore of O’ahu, Hawaii to follow her passions for island living, yoga, art, and traveling, ultimately aligning herself with her high calling and true desires even more. Hannah’s yoga classes are a representation of her way of life: raw and full of true emotion, energetic and adventurous, creative and thought-provoking, as well as fulfilling and soulfully peaceful. She specializes in teaching Vinyasa flow, Hatha yoga, Restorative yoga, and Yin yoga. Hannah loves to connect with new souls and share her light and love with those who desire to improve their state of living. If you would like to communicate with Hannah, she is accessible through Instagram by the name of @hannahemorrow as well as Facebook by the name of Hannah Morrow. She cannot wait to assist and inspire you on your journey of alignment and awakening!
Jamesy Wood
Certified Yoga Teacher
Jamesy is a Baltimore, Maryland native but has called Charleston, South Carolina home since 2015. She is a Baptiste certified yoga assistant and got her 200 hour YTT with Island Yoga in June of 2018. Since her training she has started teaching yoga full time! Her favorite style is hot power vinyasa. When she's not at the studio, you can find Jamesy on the beach, on a SUP board, or taking a cat nap in the sun with her two kitties. She has dreams of opening her own yoga studio and helping others grow their practice even more. She's seen through her own practice how the asana translates to a more easeful and centered life off of the mat. You can find Jamesy on Instagram at @jamesydoesyoga. To contact her email jamesywood@gmail.com.
Jana Broeckx
Certified Yoga Teacher
Jana found yoga a few years ago during a stressful period. Feeling completely depleted, she decided to try yoga to not become completely sedentary. She thought it would be just some stretching, and was in disbelief it could bring anything but physical benefits. She was quickly proved wrong. Fascinated by the mental benefits she felt, she registered for a short training to learn more about the background, and shortly thereafter enrolled in the Yoga Girl RYT 200h Training. In October 2018 she went to Aruba, learned so much, grew immensely in just three weeks, and met the awesome teachers: Rachel Brathen and Lara Heimann. Having quit her job as a software engineer a few months prior (but unrelated to) the training, she decided to fully focus on her own company, Florissana: part vegan cosmetics web shop, part IT consultancy for ethical companies. Together with fellow Yoga Girl teacher Noélie Lanckneus she started Ylva Yoga! They organize yoga retreats in and around Belgium, as well as workshops and both teach group & private classes. Since Aruba, Jana hasn't stopped growing and learning. She completed more trainings around yoga philosophy, history, and a second RYT training with Lara Heimann. As well as continuing to immerse herself in her personal yoga practice, so she can show up for her students in the best way possible. She teaches several group and private classes a week. All of them take place in Belgium, mainly in Dutch, sometimes in English. Her classes are physically challenging, but always with a purpose. Whether the theme focuses around an intention, a chakra, or a body part, we always look at it from a yogic point of view. So we can move with intention, alignment and ease in our bodies and our minds. Contact Jana through her website www.ylva-yoga.com or on Instagram @ylva.yoga or @jnabrx.
Jen Doran
Certified Yoga Teacher
Jen is from Ireland and was first drawn to yoga when she was 19, at a time when she felt a huge disconnection in many areas of her life. Yoga became the tool that slowly helped her reconnect with herself, with nature, and to this day yoga acts as a compass, helping Jen stay true to her path. A lover of all things movement and all things nature, she practices outside as much as she can. One of her passions in sharing yoga with people is to help bring them back into their bodies and also to help reconnect or deepen their relationship with nature and the environment which surrounds them. Hoping that people will feel more embodied and care for themselves and in turn care for their environment to the best of their abilities. We are all made up of the elements, we are water, we are light, we are air, we are earth. Jen sees a direct correlation between our bodies, our minds, our breath and nature. She continues to learn through the practice of yoga how to utilise these aspects of ourselves to create more peace, wellbeing and truth within and without, thus creating a ripple affect. Currently based in Dublin, Jen is about to begin travelling around Europe to teach and explore more ways of using yoga to reconnect to and protect our own nature, the nature that we live in, the nature which feeds us in so many ways. The first stop is the Greek Islands! If you wish to find out more about Jen, her classes, upcoming retreats or projects, she would love to hear from you. Find Jen on instagram at the.nature.wave or get in touch through her website www.thenaturewave.com
Jenna Lewins
Certified Yoga Teacher
Jenna is a yoga teacher with over 700 hours of training - specializing in Vinyasa, Yin, Restorative Yoga and Myofascial Release. She loves bringing groups of people together through yoga workshops, mindful hikes, & group classes! Jenna lives near Saint Paul, Minnesota, and has taught her slow & loving Yoga around North America & Europe. You can find Jenna's online yoga offerings & meditations [here](https://jennalewins.com/).
Jessie Hassanali
Certified Yoga Teacher
Jessie’s sole purpose as a yoga teacher is to make the entire space feel connected. She believes that the more we weave ourselves together through experience, the more we will feel seen and fulfilled in our lives. Her classes are spontaneous, sweaty, and playful allowing her fellow yogis to let loose for a little while. Follow alongside Jessie at her Instagram @jessienali.yoga or connect with her by email jessiehassanali@gmail.com.
Johanna Eckström
Certified Yoga Teacher
Johanna is a loving yoga teacher born and raised in Sweden. After being burnt out, she’s now passionate about helping others heal their body and mind with yoga. Her classes are often centered around mindfulness and body awareness, both in movement and in stillness. If you’d like to connect with Johanna you can visit her website johannaekstrom.se or email her at mail@johannaekstrom.se.
Johanna Rhode
Certified Yoga Teacher
During the last couple of years Johanna was searching quite extensively in regards to spirituality and also a need for affiliation, and through that, she found yoga. When Johanna started to practice yoga there was a sense of connection on the inside where she really wanted to be, she felt motivated to transform herself and the moment she stepped on her mat she felt like she was home. Johanna really felt like this was the space where she could be herself and really connect to this internal part of herself. Johanna felt at home within herself despite her struggles and that was huge for her when she started the practice… and is the main reasons she practices today. Johanna is in love with yoga. Yoga is not only her passion- Yoga is her love story. After fourteen excessive years working as a Spa Manager in the luxury hotel industry around the world – where Johanna gave holistic treatments to Alanis Morissette, Tina Turner and many more celebrities, she quit her job to follow her love story and built her life around yoga. After completing her first 300-hr YTT in 2015, Johanna decided to dive deeper into the practice with Rachel and Lara at Island Yoga. After returning from Aruba, Johanna focused on building her own yoga offerings beside participating the global mentorship of Sofiah Thom to become a Temple Body Arts Guide. Johanna is also teaching power yoga and yin yoga classes at PowerYogaVienna. For her personal yoga classes, she rented out a beautiful place at an Ayurvedic Center in Vienna where she offers her own concept called Wild Goddess – Sisterhood of the Divine Feminine. A concept that is focused on goddess yoga, tantra, spirituality, sisterhood, classes, and workshops with the future goal of offering goddess retreats around the world. If you like to learn more about her offerings, connect with Johanna on Instagram @hanna.blossom or visit her website www.wildgoddess.org (coming soon!).
Juliann Butz
Certified Yoga Teacher
As a tech guru and yoga teacher, Juliann aims to provide her students with useful tools that allow for a more balanced life off the mat. In the fast-paced world we live in it can be difficult to identify what is important and what isn’t. Juliann’s classes guide her students toward their truest selves in a gentle, approachable way. While she enjoys teaching yoga to all levels, Juliann’s favorite styles include Restorative, Yin, and Vinyasa Flow. A class with Juliann wouldn’t be complete without an element of spirituality and she often gifts her students with crystals, angel cards, singing bowls, palo santo, and poems. Juliann’s home-base is in Austin, TX but she travels frequently and aims to share her practice with people from all corners of the world. If you’d like to connect with Juliann you can email her at juliannbutz@gmail.com.
Katie (Haupt) Stone
Certified Yoga Teacher
Katie (she/her) is a recovering perfectionist and people pleaser, outgoing introvert, feeler of feels, creative weirdo, and multi-passionate nerd with a deep curiosity for life and how things work. While a sensitive, nature-loving home-body and a Cancer Sun at heart, her Aries Moon and Virgo Rising balance her out with a silly sense of humor, observant nature, spontaneousness, courageousness, and resiliency when faced with life's curveballs. Katie's been practicing yoga since 2003, teaching yoga and meditation off and on since 2014, and became a Yoga Girl® certified yoga teacher in 2017. She is a trauma and domestic/childhood abuse survivor with experiences that have shaped not only her philosophy for living life, but also her encouraging style of teaching, too. Determined to not let her past experiences take more than they've already taken from her, she has continued to set her mind and heart toward healing and understanding her pain, so as to transmute her hard-earned lessons into empathetic insight that she can share with others. When teaching, her classes are focused on accessibility, self-love, emotional peace, spiritual connection, and inner strength. Her passion lies in supporting those that have suffered through trauma, abuse, addiction, and other mental health struggles, and she is a strong advocate for human rights and social justice. Originally from the Chicago-area, and having lived and traveled around Europe, she has now planted her roots in Denver, Colorado with her goofy husband and their dog-baby Leo. Learn about her offerings or simply say hello by visiting her on [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/yermateykatie/), [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/iamkatiestone/), or connecting with her via email at iamkatiestone@gmail.com.
Katrina Corner
Certified Yoga Teacher
Katrina grew up in the South West of the UK and fell in love with yoga at the age of 12 when she attended community classes with her mum. Treating her yoga mat as a magic carpet, Katrina took her practice on a global tour with work travels which eventually led to hosting retreats in the Middle East, Bali and Aruba. Following the completion of her 200hr YTT at Island Yoga, this loving Mumma Bear led the Yoga Girl Programs Team for 18 months and held space for more than 400 yogis passing through the sacred Luna Shala doors. Having returned to her roots in Devon, UK, Katrina can now be found sharing a delicious combination of slow flow, yin yoga, sound healing and feminine flow movement medicine. Katrina can be contacted at katrinas_inbox@yahoo.co.uk or via Instagram @katrina_pops.
Kelly Dove
Certified Yoga Teacher
As a critical care nurse, Kelly is a natural empath filled with a spirit of compassion and caring for others. Based in Austin, Texas, she serves her community by sharing the joyful, healing practice of yoga. Kelly creates fun and challenging flows tailored to your specific needs with a focus on optimal alignment and functional movement to prevent injury and alleviate stress and chronic pain. She strives to engage students in their personal practice, guiding them to connect deeply to their truest selves. Find Kelly on IG @KellyDoveYoga and at KellyDoveYoga.com.
Kristen Fletcher
Certified Yoga Teacher
Authentic, fair, and fiery, Kristen Fletcher is an Aries born on a Libra full moon. She is an intuitive astrologer, vegan, yoga teacher, and business strategist. As the CEO of Resolute Life, a conscious lifestyle agency, she believes in the sacred art of doing only what sets our hearts on fire. She practices Vinyasa and Kundalini yoga to raise her vibration, connect to her intuition, and fully show up for life. Her clients come to her to experience clarity and breakthroughs. She is based in New York City and you can find her at resolutelife.co.
Laura van Leeuwen
Program Team, Certified Yoga Teacher
I joined the first yoga teacher training given by Rachel Brathen at Island Yoga. After successfully completing this training I started teaching at the studio and I loved it ever since! I love to start my day in a calm way. First thing I do when waking up is taking my dog Bodhi for an early sunrise walk, followed by a meditation, breakfast and a practice at the studio. During the day I prepare my yoga classes, study, hang out at the studio and enjoy the Island life. When my husband gets home in the evening we love to go out for dinner, enjoy the beach, go for a drink and a dance or hang on the couch to binge watch some Netflix series.
Liron Blajwajs
Certified Yoga Teacher
During the last couple of years, Liron has put aside her job as a clinical psychologist in order to pursue her long time dream of becoming a full-time teacher. On top of being a yoga teacher, she also teaches dance, Pilates and aerial yoga classes. Finding yoga after an injury, Liron believes that yoga is a way to connect to yourself and your body in a safe, non-judgmental way. As a teacher, she tries to ignite a spark in all of her students. Originally from Tel-Aviv, currently based in Edinburgh, you can find Liron at @lir_whitelead.
Marissa Ceci
Certified Yoga Teacher
Marissa Ceci is a pup-mom and military wife living in Germany and loving Christ with her husband Michael. She began teaching yoga in 2015, the same year she bought and sold a yoga studio in MS, all while completing her first 200-hr YTT. Growing up a dancer the physical pillars of yoga really appealed to her: strength, flexibility and balance. She quickly realized though, that yoga was a place for peace, self-discovery, healing and growth. Diving deeper into the practice led her to her second 200-hr training here at Island Yoga. When not practicing, you can find her whipping up plant-based meals for her family, planning their next trip, playing around with photography, sticking her toes in the sand, planting flowers or hosting dinner parties for friends. Marissa currently only offers private lessons, for individuals or groups. For more info please visit: www.marissaceci.com/yoga.
Marleen Kersloot
Certified Yoga Teacher
I grew up in the Netherlands and as a little girl I always told my mom I was going to live on a tropical Island – and now here I am! Before yoga, dance was my life, but when it came time for a change, my family and I moved to Aruba and found ourselves right across the street from the beautiful Island Yoga. I got to know Rachel, practiced in the studio every day, and then joined the Yoga Teacher Training in June 2018. Now I teach the Karma flow class at Island Yoga, and still spend my days dancing except now it's in the kitchen while making smoothies for my daughter, or while watching sunsets on the ocean.
Mel Dolan
Certified Yoga Teacher
Melissa has been practicing yoga since she was 14. She knew there was something special about it from the first calming Ujjayi breath. She loves sharing the practice that has been so transformative in her own life with others. She believes we already truly have everything we need inside of us and an incredible capacity to experience unlimited potential, we just have to clear the "noise" (ie limiting beliefs, outdated neural patterns) that blocks us from our true nature in order to access it. When we create space and do the work for deep healing and increase our self-awareness, we unlock our true potential. It is her intention to provide you with the tools and experiences to support this process in a big way and leave you with an inspired energy and perspective to take with you well beyond the physical practice. She currently lives and teaches in Morocco, while hosting retreats here and worldwide including in Bali and Mexico. She is also a Wellness & Transformation Coach, Reiki Practitioner, and Community Manager of an online spiritual community: 528 Academy. If you’d like to learn more, connect on Instagram @meld_yogini or check out her website/blog www.redefineandthrive.com.
Michaela Noonan
Certified Yoga Teacher
Michaela comes from England and is a medical secretary in a specialist animal referral hospital offering groundbreaking treatments to animals and their families. She is currently teaching private classes at the hospital and has just completed a further teacher training in Yin Yoga. Yoga is incredibly important to Michaela as it is the best way for her to find balance in life and to maintain a healthy mind, a healthy body and a happy spirit.
Monique Day
Certified Yoga Teacher
Monique was born in California and at age four, beat cancer. She was then raised in a small town called Lake Havasu City, AZ. Her many passions include exploring and taking new adventures. Travel is Monique’s absolute favorite thing next to yoga. She has been a lover of movement her entire life. She studied dance since age 5, under her mother’s teachings and many other teachers in NYC. Yoga was something that had floated in and out of her life for years. As she started focusing on healing and growing as a human being, yoga started to work its magic slowly transforming her mind and body. After practicing for 3 years, never stepping foot into a studio, Monique completed her 200-hour-yoga-teaching certification in Aruba. Monique teaches in a Vinyasa Flow style, focusing on strengthening the body and the mind, while honoring the breath. Monique wanted to deepen her practice and deepen her awareness for yoking her body, mind and spirit. Yoga helped her find balance and stillness both on and off the mat. She now wants to share the tools that taught her to help and teach others. Yoga is her space that enables her to find her true self through movement.
Natalie Spadola
Certified Yoga Teacher
Natalie is an upstate New York native, passionate about living a joyful life. She encourages people to practice true self-love by experimenting and finding out what fuels them. Her inner fuel comes from movement in the forms of yoga, hiking, kayaking, skiing, and working out. Her passion for yoga took over when she realized that it was more than just the physical practice she was introduced to.To Natalie, yoga is a way of life that permeates into everything she does. At the moment, Natalie lives in Albany, NY and is the general manager for Lara Heimann and her studio in Princeton, NJ.
Nia Thorpe
Certified Yoga Teacher
Nia is from a small town in picturesque North Cornwall, ENG. She left this beautiful place to study, travel and work but has now come full circle and is back living where she feels happiest, near the wild seas of Cornwall. Nia is a Primary School teacher, curator and a registered Yoga Alliance 200hr Yoga Teacher. She was trained by Rachel Brathen and Lara Heimann at Island Yoga in Aruba, she has also completed the British Wheel of Yoga foundation course and has trained with Yoga Beez Children’s Yoga. Yoga is an essential part of Nia’s everyday life, through the practice of yoga she can deeply and gracefully connect to her own body, mind and soul, thereafter finding presence and more compassion for others. Nia teaches Flow and Yin yoga, as well as children’s and community-based yoga in: Bude, Cornwall and online. All of Nia’s classes encourage growth and grounding, self-love and self-acceptance, play and trust. To find out more about Nia and where she teaches please visit: www.snugandserene.com.
Nicole Nagel
Certified Yoga Teacher
From globetrotter to yoga teacher, Nicole 'Nici' Nagel was born in Austria, but at home all over the world. Nici has been traveling since 2007 as she loves getting to know different cultures, countries and customs. Her profession allowed her to spend many years in different parts of the world - an exciting life, which became a bit too hectic after many years. One summer, on her favorite Greek Island Corfu, she found yoga. When she practiced yoga for the first time she not only felt the relaxation, but at the same time so many feelings were released from within her. Since then she has never stopped learning - yoga always surprises her. During her RYT 200 at Island Yoga she was overwhelmed by the sisterhood created and knew that this feeling needed to be spread and shared with the world. She continued her education with a RPYT in Costa Rica and is now supporting mothers-to-be on their journey. Her prenatal yoga classes are giving her the room to create a beautiful space and a circle for women. To check out her current European location find her on Instagram at @nicole.nagel_
Rachelle Castro
Certified Yoga Teacher
Rachelle is a proud Canadian of Filipino descent, born and raised in Montreal, Canada. As well as being a yoga teacher, she is a full-time medical laboratory technologist in a hospital lab. Always with a smile on her face, ready to tackle the world as a teacher, her goal is to unite people of all ages, all walks of life and especially of all colour and body types, through this beautiful practice. She strives to create an environment where diversity is the norm and where everyone present can find a community to grow with and feel included, free of judgment. She believes that yoga is a beautiful way to merge the body, mind and spirit together and strongly believes that that’s what the world needs right now. More inner healing to heal the outer. You can catch her moderating within the Yoga Girl Community Facebook Group or teaching her Island Yoga inspired monthly workshops. To connect with Rachelle, visit her at www.rachellelovesyoga.com, on IG @rachelle_loves_yoga, or on Facebook @rachellelovesyoga.
Rebeca Gleiberman
Certified Yoga Teacher
Rebecca Gleiberman is a Gainesville, FL based yoga teacher specializing in Vinyasa Flow. After finding yoga through tough times four years ago she hopes to help others on similar journeys find peace and balance in their lives. With a deep love for the outdoors she also hopes to use yoga as a way to help others feel more connected to nature. For more info about where she will be teaching follow her on Instagram @thegainesvilleyogi.
Romy Raaijmakers
Certified Yoga Teacher
Since moving to Aruba and finding Island Yoga, I have met the most wonderful people and realized that I am exactly where I am meant to be. This is the place where I was reintroduced to the connection with my body, learned ways to calm the mind and the importance of me time (self-love). As a yoga teacher, I will forever be a student, lifelong learning is one of my core values and I believe that if we have something to share and connect to our purpose, we can always help people. I am looking forward to spreading my message into the world, combined with the knowledge of my social work, giving individuals, younger children and families a different look upon life.
Sarah Beroud
Certified Yoga Teacher
Sarah is a passionate yogi and psychologist from Switzerland. Her regular yoga practice started at age 22 when she began studying psychology. Yoga has helped her deal with occupational stress and hardship in her personal life. Throughout the years, yoga has remained an important anchor in Sarah’s life. Practicing yoga helps Sarah immerse herself in the present and stay connected to herself. It gives her strength, calmness and confidence. With a growing interest in mindfulness and self-compassion, Sarah decided to get her 200hr YTT certification from Island Yoga in 2018. Her classes weave in dynamic sequences influenced by breathing and longer held poses accompanied by a sweet playlist. Sarah teaches in different cities throughout Switzerland. Find more information on www.sarahberoud.com or get in touch through her through instagram @sar.oud.
Savannah Schroeder
Certified Yoga Teacher
For Savannah, what started as a purely physical practice (to alleviate back/neck pain) over time morphed into a more spiritual practice, allowing her to connect with her true self and purpose. She continues to show up on her mat because of the positive energy that radiates into all areas of her life after practicing; making her a happier and more balanced person. Yoga enables her to release trapped tension and emotions in the body, clear the mind and shift focus to the present moment. She is passionate about sharing wellness tools to help others expand their knowledge, feel empowered to take ownership of their health and inspire them to achieve their goals. With a baby on the way, Savannah has cut down on her teaching hours in the studio, but is available for personalized private sessions in and around Milwaukee, WI. Namaste!
Shelley Homyshin
Certified Yoga Teacher
Shelley was born and raised in the home of the Rocky Mountains in Calgary, Alberta, CAN. After working in Interior Design for a few years, she realized it wasn’t where her passion was and began practicing yoga to help her through the transition on to the next chapter in life. Shelley fell in love with the way yoga made her feel empowered and more whole than she ever knew. She decided she wanted to help others discover their inner magic and became a certified yoga teacher. Shelley hopes to acquire her SUP yoga training in the future as she would love to bring the joy of yoga on water to all of the breathtaking lakes and views surrounding her hometown. She is currently teaching and managing at a hot yoga studio called My Yoga Calgary, where she has worked for over 5 years. Her classes remind you not to take yourself too seriously and really enjoy the present moment, ranging from a relaxing Sunday night flow to a “Friday Funk” high energy practice accompanied by hip hop music. She hopes to expand her knowledge indefinitely and encourage not only the practice of yoga, but the lifestyle of pure gratitude, inner discovery and growth that yoga allows one to live.
Stine Skjerdal
Certified Yoga Teacher
Stine is a Norwegian yogi residing in Nittedal outside of Oslo. After living several years in Mexico, home was calling to her again. Stine's traveling soul found calm and she now lives a quiet life with her husband and two young children - or as quiet as it can be with active kids. Stine knows that life can’t be taken for granted, she lost her first husband suddenly in 2012. Since then she has moved through grief and trauma, but also created a beautiful life for herself. Yoga has been a huge contributor toward keeping her grounded and present throughout her challenges. Stine gives weekly classes in her suburb, only a 30-minute train ride from Oslo. She can be contacted at Stine.Skjerdal@gmail.com or follow her instagram account Stinita_yogini. Everyone is welcome to join her classes.
Tanara Hansen
Certified Yoga Teacher
Tanara first found yoga at the age of 20 and, like many other stories, in the beginning it was a purely physical endeavor. Immediately hooked on the sweaty detox and the lightness she felt after wringing, twisting, and moving her body during practice, yoga quickly became a regular routine. Several years, hundreds of practices, and many styles of yoga later, Tanara is a true believer that the benefits of the poses unconsciously radiate outward into every aspect of mind, body, and spirit transforming each of us from the inside out. Tanara currently teaches in Raleigh, NC where she loves to create energetic classes that build stamina, push physical and mental limits, and connect us to the breath. Her goal is to share the practice as a tool to promote a strong, centered, and courageous life.
Tatjana Pettersen
Certified Yoga Teacher
Through the pathway of yoga, Tatjana found that everything she had gone through in the past was preparing her for what she had asked for: to find her life purpose and her dream. Now that she knows her life dream - to build a small yoga studio by the sea in Tromsø, a town in Northern Norway, where she was born and raised - Tatjana is working toward realizing it. When Tatjana was younger her life suddenly took her in a different direction, and she found herself fighting through years of depression and post traumatic stress. It was during this time that Tatjana somehow found her way out through a dedicated mindful yoga practice. Her mat is the one place she can let go of everything, create a space to be in the present moment, and connect to herself. It is her goal to use her own life experience to help others heal their mind and body with mindfulness and yoga, like she did. Tatjana is now passionate about teaching mindful yoga and vinyasa flows at various yoga studios in Tromsø, and with time at her own yoga studio by the sea in Northern Norway. If you’d like to connect with Tatjana, or visit her future yoga studio in Tromsø with an opportunity to rent a house by the sea, you can email Tatjana at tatjana.pettersen@icloud.com, or find her on Instagram at @tatjana.pettersen.
Yohanna Mannelqvist
Certified Yoga Teacher
Yohanna was raised in Sweden but lived many years in London, working within the fashion industry. She lived a crazy lifestyle, traveling, partying, working, training and socialising. Her quick lifestyle and pursuit of perfectionism eventually lead to burnout and she became sleep deprived, underweight, anxious and overworked. It became clear to her that happiness doesn’t come from having a “perfect life” and dropped her fashion career to embark on a soul searching journey around the world. The Island Yoga YTT was a life changing experience, where she could finally let go, heal her wounds and find back to self-love. She is now a 500H RYT Yoga Teacher and IIN Health Coach and lives in-between Tulum, Sweden and London. Her mission is to guide ambitious & searching souls to a purposeful life in balance and true to their deepest authentic self. She believes in a holistic approach to a sustainable lifestyle and health goes far beyond what you have on your plate. If you are longing for a change, feel stuck or just want to boost your current life – feel free to get in touch with her for guidance via instagram (@yohasana) or email hello@yohasana.com.
Zoe Hutchens
Certified Yoga Teacher
Zoe is a yoga teacher, traveler, adventurer, wild child, and dreamer. Originally from Colorado, she traveled around the world on her own and picked the Pacific Northwest to settle into a community and attend university. She found yoga as a tool to cope with anxiety, and though the road to her practice was long and winding, she quickly fell in love with the freedom, presence, awareness and emotional healing yoga offered. It was in Portland that she found her regular practice and became inspired to teach. She learned to teach yin and vinyasa from regular practice and study with her teachers Sarasvati Hewitt and Tami Apland. With their varying styles and attention to detail, she gained knowledge in the anatomy and kinesiology, functional modifications and the neuroscience of the practice. In 2017 during training she was able to shine light into the darkest parts of herself to find a space of healing and she feels called to help others do the same. Through her practice she has found the ability to find the vulnerability and shed layers around her heart. The inspiration brought her to stand in her own power and believe in her own magic. She hopes to help others learn how to connect to the magic in the present moment and help them find their power too. She is currently teaching multiple classes around Portland. Upon finishing her business degree in 2019, she plans to take her teaching and business mind abroad; working her way around the world learning, growing and living. Follow along on Instagram @adventuresofzo